Page 71 of One Killer Night
I only get a step toward her, though, before I’m tackled onto the bed with her straddling me.
“Round two?” I chuckle as she scrambles to get the letter from me. Her wet hair whips my face, forcing my eyes closed as her ass lands on my stomach, then back to my groin, knocking the air out of me twice. “Fuck,” I groan-laugh. “Why are you beating me up?”
“Sorry,” she mumbles as I blink a few times, waiting for the internal bleeding to begin.
The letter is between her teeth as she hurriedly dries her hands on the towel I’m still holding before removing it from her mouth.
“Noah, it’s the magazine ... It’s from them, or more specifically the corporation that owns them.” My brows rise as I half pop myself up onto my elbows.
Her grin grows bigger before she bounces on top of me again.
“Easy,” I laugh, reaching down between her legs to cover my jewels. “That’s gotta last us our whole lives.”
She nods, and then a host of emotions play over her face, ending in a frown. Her green eyes lift to mine, staring straight into them.
“What if it says ‘No, thanks’?”
As if she’s holding a bomb, she places the envelope gently onto my abs while she stares down at it.
“Killer ...” She glances at me, then back. “Goldie, look at me.”
When she does, I’m immediately struck by how beautiful she is—nudeandemotionally stripped bare. “So what if they do? You’re brave enough to be vulnerable, and that’s more than most people. Stop being completely unaware of how goddamn amazing that is. Aren’t you the one who said, ‘Dreamer or fool’?”
“No ... she sounds like a whacked-out wannabe guru. Plus, there should be a third option—scaredy-cat.”
A meow makes us both smile.
“Sounds like that one’s taken,” I tease.
This time we both look down at my stomach before she slowly reaches out and lifts the letter off me. Goldie lets out a small whoosh between pursed lips, and it makes my heart beat unnaturally fast.
Come on, let it be a yes. Goddammit, universe, I’m owed, and I’m calling it in for my girl. Give this to her.
She gives me one more glance, and I wink back before she straightens her shoulders and tears into the envelope, then pulls out the paper. I watch with literal bated breath as her eyes track over the words.
I’m laser focused on her, trying to make out what she’s mouthing.
The few seconds it takes her to read the verdict feel like a damn lifetime, and I can’t help myself but to press. “Well ...?”
I push against the bed to sit, bringing our faces closer as my hands fall to her hips.
“What does it say?”
She bites her lip as she looks up at me, searching my eyes, but her face stays unreadable. But I feel it in my gut. She fucking got it. The sides of my mouth start to pull into a smile.
“Yes?” I guess with every bit of hopeful intention, nodding.
A megawatt smile breaks out on her face, and it’s the most beautiful fucking sight I’ve ever seen. Her head shakes a million miles an hour.
“Yes.” The paper shoots up as she raises her hand. “This dreamy fool’s fucking published.”
Chapter Sixteen
Goldie
July
“I’m one hundred percent going to get fired if I don’t get off this FaceTime.”
